WHITTIER, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2023)- Whittier is now riding a two-game winning streak after Wednesday's 90-72 home win over SCIAC rival Occidental.

The Tigers were able to get off to a quick start from the tip and established an 11-6 lead. The Poets fought back, with the momentum continuing to shift throughout most of the first half. With six minutes left in the half, Whittier grabbed a 30-29 point lead, and the home team did not look back. The Poets drained a majority of their shots the rest of the way and went into halftime with a 48-43 lead. 

Bryant Howing once again had a fantastic first half, carrying the Poets down the stretch and finishing the half with 22 points. Jude Agbasi  came off the bench, and also had a good first half with 10 points and seven rebounds. The team shot 44% from the field and 45% from three for the half. 

Six minutes into the second half, the Poets held a 60-52 point lead. Agbasi then went on a roll for the Poets and scored 14 straight over the next four minutes. He carried Whittier to a 74-56 lead with 10 minutes left in the game. Whittier continued to put the pressure on the Tigers before freshman Logan Baltazar converted a four-point play followed by another three-pointer. The Poets held a 22-point lead with seven minutes left. Whittier cruised the rest of the way to secure a 90-72 win. 

Howing had a game-high 28 points on the offensive side and three steals on defense. Blake Lander had another good game with 14 points and five rebounds. Agbasi celebrated his birthday with a massive game scoring 24 points, with 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and six three-pointers. Whittier was able to lean on their hot shooting hands once again to secure this victory as they shot 46% from the field and 49% from 3. 

Birthday boy Jude Agbasi said after the game, "This was a huge team victory. We needed to come in and keep the energy up from last game, and we did that. Every win counts as we make a push for a playoff spot, so we gotta keep playing as a team to make that push."

The Poets will head on the road for their next game, as they travel to Claremont to take on the Stags. This game will take place on Saturday Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. Whittier will look to extend its wining streak to a season-long three. 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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